Test: 1 year in the desert alone. What to bring...

So im in the process of planning a trip to the Arizona deserts, location at least 40-50 miles away from and civilization. Im going simply to modify my body, mind, and awareness to cater to a worst case scenario. I figure if I have 1 year survival under my belt, I will have built in mentality for when the time comes.

Question is what to bring. I am planning on adding some fasting and meditation into my regimine to sort of bring my self to the brink, ala into the wild. But I am planning on bringing beans, breads, tons of water, vitamins, books and a tent.

My question is how much minimum food exactly would quantify 365 days of survival in the middle of a desert landcape? Water?

I'm in talks with some land owners and not planning on doing this til about a year from now, still saving money for all the food/water stuffs and additional needs.

Also when would be the best time to go as far as seasons are concerned?
Thanks

Shame i could not do what you are doing and going to an isolated place on earth, would be nice to just get away from civilisation for at least a year like you.

Are you sure you are ready for such a thing, like how will you feed yourself?

reply to post by andy1033

Are you sure you are ready for such a thing, like how will you feed yourself?

Well, Im not ready right now at this moment, but mentally im ready to go through with it and start preparing. For the last few years, I've been taking 10-14 days here and there and spending it in remote places, fasting reading, just being if you catch my drift. It really breaks you down to a basic of existence ...it is exhilarating and you are never the same afterwords.

I will feed myself with maybe a small gas stove, or make use of the sun and a magnify glass concept/technique, beans, flower to make sun bread, water, powdered milk, peanut butter, etc.

In the wilderness, I've gotten down to just eating once or twice a day.

It would be weird to come back after a year, imagine what would be changed?

I would more or less rather join the Peace Corps. But thats just me.

Don't forget, bring multiple pens and paper. Got to jot stuff down, otherwise you may go crazy. It happens.

First thing you should consider is bringing a rifle, and plenty of ammo!!!
Hunting=food. Plus, you can defend yourself, not necessarily from some FED speaking with an Eastern European accent, but from wild life trying to EAT YOU.....


Amongst other things:

A good knife, pref, multi tool one.
Map (pref terrain) and compass.......know your surroundings.
If you don't know how to light fires w/out flame, bring matches, or magnifying glass.
Penicillan (sp?)...incase you get some nasty gashes. Ohhh..and a stitch kit. U canuse the hook for fishing too
Appropriate gear, for weather. Very hot summers......, even uberable for survival......no humidity, and no water. I would suggest having river or lake nearby for water supply. How many possible bottles of water can you bring with you??? Halazone tablets! Will kill germs in water if u can't boil...
ANd cold winters, demands for proper gear. Avoid fires at night, it will give away your location from miles....
You should also consider a partner.........it will help u stay sane.
Even a dog. However, you'll have to feed him too.

And don't forget your VISA card


Good luck.!

[edit on 11-4-2009 by Ben Niceknowinya]

reply to post by dominicus


Make sure you take plenty of ice...the desert gets HOT, even in the dead of winter, and warm clothes, it gets cold at night, even in summer. And a gallon or two of sun screen, minimum SPF 50. Oh, and a hat, that sun will bake your brain so fast it's unbelievable.

That's about all I can suggest, the desert supplies every thing you need. You just have to know how and where to find them.

And let someone know where to find your bones, wouldn't want anyone to think your remains are of one of the unfortunate illegal aliens trying to gain entry. (over 200 found, thus far...)

Not to be a downer but your plan seems a little ambitious. Spending 1-2 weeks in the wilderness does not even compare to 1 year let alone in the desert. I think you might be getting ahead of yourself.

Think about all of the food it takes to stay going in a given year when you are in the comfort of your own home then think about what it would take in a very harsh environment. You need 10x the amount of water in the desert than you normally do.

What are you going to do if you run out of water 2 weeks into your stay or if you get bit by a snake? being 50 miles from civilization is pretty much signing your own death certificate.

If you do go through with it I would advise you to not think about what you can bring to survive but to find out how you can use your surroundings to sustain yourself. Find out about the plant and animal life in the area and determine what is safe to consume and what isn't.

The Arizona desert is not a place that you just walk into and live for a year without very careful planning and even if your a survival expert the chances of something going wrong are high.

Well if you are spending a year when you go does not matter as you will see the entire cycle.

I have to agree with TV_Nation here. You should try to do this incrementaly with 1-2 weeks then a month etc. and stretch it out to a year. This gives you the most important thing for your endeavour; Experience.

Aside from that a solar still will be helpfull

reply to post by pyrytyes


How would you store the ice beyond day one?

Originally posted by pyrytyes
reply to post by dominicus

 

"Make sure you take plenty of ice...the desert gets HOT, even in the dead of winter"


You're kidding right???

reply to post by FredT


A well insulated ice chest...good for at least 3 days.
Then drink the water.

Originally posted by pyrytyes
reply to post by FredT

 

A well insulated ice chest...good for at least 3 days.
Then drink the water.

We took a 1 week desert survival class in the new mexico desert and given how hot it is Id be surprised if it lasted more than a few days.

There are some wonderful techniques on this site here: Survival Topics
Check them out.

Get yourself some firesteel, makes fires much easier to make.
A water filtration system is a must have. Recycle that pee.

Why not find a good stream to grow some small plants by. I find gardening to be awesome. I'm thinking corn, beans, maybe even tomato plants if there is a large enough stream. Peas grow well almost everywhere. Broccoli too.

Originally posted by FredT

Originally posted by pyrytyes
reply to post by FredT

 

A well insulated ice chest...good for at least 3 days.
Then drink the water.

We took a 1 week desert survival class in the new mexico desert and given how hot it is Id be surprised if it lasted more than a few days.

Yeah, 2 days is the max I got 2.....I had a "reserve" cooler I kept in the shade, but thekey is not to open it, allowing air to get inside.......and 3 days later.....wala.! Cold brooskiS!

Take lots of unrefined sea salt , a good GPS, good cell, chargers and a cheap solar generator. Palm oil is good too. Needless to say, a good tent. I'm guessing you need 8 oz of food a day.

reply to post by Ben Niceknowinya


Kinda, tongue in cheek. You'd be amazed at the amount of time ice will last given the insulation.

I wish you well in your endeavor, in all seriousness. Read as much as you can on desert survival, specifically. There are a few good resources available. I can not think of one off the top of my head, though.

Water is not that big of a problem, for instance. Cacti, especially the barrel cactus, store fluid in the pithy interior. The taste is, like Scotch whiskey, an acquired one, but when it becomes a necessity, it will save your life.
The barrel is also a very good compass... the tops point nearly due south.
Knowing that could save your life, and also alerts you when someone, not in the know has transplanted one.

Being a life long desert rat, I know how to survive, and what it takes to extricate myself in a survival situation. The biggest problem is maintaining your composure, therefore, recognizing the onset of heat stroke is very important.

Please provide a list of the materials, including vehicle type, you are now planning to have available, and I will assist howevr I can.


OOPS! I thought it was the OP that I was responding to. color my face red, from embarrassment.

[edit on 11-4-2009 by pyrytyes]

Good pointers so far. As for the ice chest, well instead of trying to find a shaded area, you just dig a 50cm hole in the ground and use the earth itself as insulation, the deeper you go the cooler it gets. The same applies to your sleeping needs.
Obviously as mentioned before, if you have had no basic survival training at all, then i strongly suggest you undertake a course. Its one thing to prepare yourself mentally and a completely different thing physically.
In closing , by all means, have a gps or a sat phone in case things get out of control. Forget what you have seen in the movies, out there your life depends on how well you are prepared.

*Seek professional advice before undertaking this task*

reply to post by Ben Niceknowinya


Beer is not all that good for you, or any alcohol, as it promotes dehydration.

Air exposure, or lack thereof, is key to ice storage. I have an Igloo 40QT. cooler that will keep ice for up to a week, packed, without opening. But wrapped in various other material...blankets, etc...and kept out of the sun.

I have not had the opportunity to take a course... just lived it.

Look up info on a solar cooker. Not only can you cook food using only the power of the sun, but apparently you can purify water too.
I would think that 1 year completely away from the insanity of this world might be a very therapeutic thing if approached with the right mindset (and of course, realistic preparations).

Why not try some 12vdc appliances? Once you have your shelter set up, you could possibly find a way to spin a 12 volt car alternator. ( wind or water turbine)

they make 12 volt refrigerators, fans, even coffee makers.

now you are off the grid and enjoying at least a few modern comforts.


you could keep your cell phone batteries charged with a few solar batteries.(couple of bucks at radio shack)

also, an ammonia refrigerator, such as found in RV's, actually runs off of heat. you might be able to modify one that works off of coals instead of propane.

good luck!



12 vdc appliances